Building structure



June 15, 1943. w. E.'WILSON BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 21, 1942 Qnventor il z Z50,-

(Ittorneg Patented June 15, 1943 2,321,588 BUILDING STRUCTURE Winfred a. waning. Angeles, cuu. Application January 21, 1942, Serial No. 427,614

'IClaima.

This invention relates to building structures of the type wherein a panel having two walls or sheathing with an interposed framework may enclose conduits of any form, such as gas and water pipes and electrical cable.

In my co-pending application for Structural units, Serial No. 419,391, filed November 17, 1941,

I describe a type of unit which is pre-fabricated and constitutes plywood panels secured by glue to a framework. These structuralunits are given certain sizes which permits ready erection of a building within a minimum of time, in fact, six room dwellings have been completed in less than ten hours after the mud sills have been placed in position. It is necessary to provide electrical wiring for the dwelling and the present invention has among its objects a novel construction which permits the wiring to be continued from panel to panel and still comply with all' underwriters requirements.

Other objects of the invention will readily be ascertained from the description hereinafter given.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of two structural units with electrical wiring incorporated therein,

Figure is a. fragmentary plan view of the wiring within two intersecting panels,

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Fi ure l is a fragmentary partially sectional View of a pair of panels Joined at ends, such as would occur at a corner, with the wiring carried thereby. and,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the showing of Figure -1.

Referring now to the drawing, it may be stated that in my copending application heretofore referred to, I have provided a plywood structure which may consist of panels I of different size. It is assumed that a given dwelling or building has been designed and that selected sizes of panels have been formed so that when the panels are properly positioned, there will be an inter-fit or cooperation therebetween to provide rooms, ceiling, floor, etc. These panels comprise two sheathings 2 and 3, which are maintained in spaced separation by framing 4 interposed therebetween and glued to said sheathing. The framing 4 includes side members I as well as a top member i and a like member at the bottom (not shown), with intermediate vertical memhers I and cross members 8. It is to be observed that the interior framework, to-wit, the side members I, the top member I and the bottom member are recessed back of the sheathing edges, thus providing side and end grooves, designated generally as I and II. I

It is intended that adjoining panels be connected in abutting relationship by any type of device adapted to be received within the grooves 5. In my copending application referred to, I provide fish plates which overlap the abutting ends of a pair of adioinins panels with some means, such as wedges for bringing the fish plates into binding engagement with the panels. Obviously, other means might be provided.

Where panels are erected as stated and electrical wiring is resorted to, it becomes necessary to enclose the wiring in a suitable fireproof conduit. Conduits secured to the external surface of the panel after the panels have been erected, are unsightly, and it is the idea of providing a panel that has the wiring already placed therein, and which wiring is readily continued to wiring of other panels, to which the present invention is directed. It is assumed, or course, that the wiring diagram for the particular dwelling has been pre-selected and with so selected, and knowing the character of the panels which are to cooperate in a definite relationship to effect the desired dwelling, the wir ing is so arranged that each panel may properly connected. the oi Figure l, the panels, regardless oi the number, and adjacent end piece 5, are provided with spacer members it and it secured to the end member and to its adjacent or contiguous sheathing. For instance, spacer member ii is glued to the inside surface of sheathing 3. These spacer members are of a height less than the depth of the groove Iii. It is intended that electrical wiring i3, suitably encased in a metal covering, be received in the space included between said spacer members and the end member I. If an outlet box It is to be positioned in the sheathing" 2 adjacent the floor line; the electrical conduit is passed through holes in the framework as illustrated at I! and I8 and properly secured in the outlet box. In Figure 1, there is a panel at ll, which intersects the panel I and accordingly a junction box It is so positioned between the sheathings of each panel I and I! that the electrical wiring may be continued in the ordinary manner. ,After the wiring has been completed, a top plate It is placed between the sheathing of each panel and is flush with the top edges of said sheathing and (rests upon the spacer members I I and II. This top plate It may be secured to the sheathing by the wiring diagram screws, or other quick-detachment means 20. In some instances, the top plate may be glued in position, although to permit ready inspection of the wiring, it is preferable to have this member removable.

In Figures 4 and 5, I have illustrated a corner and wherein two panels have been joined, as

shown. I may provide a corner strip at 2|, when this type of construction is followed, to lend ornamentation to the structure. Thus, the electrical wiring may continue between two substantially right-angularly related panels. For this purpose, it is intended that each panel should be so arranged, so far as the wiring is concerned, that-a length of the wiring projects beyond'the side. of the panel. When the panels have been preformed for a definite type of structure, the length of this wire is readily ascertained so that it may continue into the next paneland be secured to a Junction box or to an outlet without any waste-' age.

As shown in Figure l, I may, in certain embodiments of the invention, and particularly depending upon the character of wiring to be resorted to for a given wall arrangement, provide in the side groove 9 spacer members lla and l2-a, which form continuations of the spacer members II and I2. These spacer members'may be positioned in a bottom groove of the character similar to the top groove Ill of panel I, as well as the side groove which would be opposite groove 9. Received between the spacer members is electrical conduit of the character shown, and suitable cover plates of the type shown, for instance at l9, may be provided for both the bottom andside grooves of the panel. At the time the panel is formed with the spacer members in position, it is an' easy matter to place the conduit between said spacer members and to make connection therewith as may be required, especially if the erector desires to have electrical outlets at other than pre-determined zones of the panel.

It is apparent that the present invention is saving in material in that. having a selected a dwelling in mind with the diflerent units entering into said dwelling fully devised and pre-fabricated that wastage of materials, whether it be wiring or wood or metal, is effectively done away with. There is no guess-work.

By numbering the panels and the wiring, the most unskilled laborer can readily erect the panels and the wiring connected in proper order sumciently to pass underwriters requirements and inspection.

I claim:

1. In panel construction, a pair of spaced-apart plywood sheathing, a framing interposed between and secured to said sheathing, said framing having an end-member spaced inwardly from the edges of said sheathing to provide a. groove, and

a pair of spacer members within said groove and secured to the inner surface of both sheathing members and resting on said end member to provide a way for the reception of a conduit.

2. In panel construction, a pair of spaced-apart plywood sheathing, a framing interposed between members for closing the conduit way.

3. In a device of the character disclosed, a structural unit comprising a pair of plywood sheathing and a cellular frame therebetween, the cellular frame being recessed inwardly from a marginal edge of the sheathing, and a top plate secured between the sheathing and spaced from the cellular frame to provide a way for the reception of conduit.

4. In a device of the character disclosed, a structural unit comprising a pair of plywood sheathing and a cellular frame therebetween and leading to said outlet box, a junction box carried between said sheathing and said frame at the inwardly recessed portion, the electrical cable leading to said junction box, and means for capping the recessed space.

. 5. In panel construction, a pair (if-sheathing members and a framing interposed therebetween and secured to said sheathing, said framing havboth sheathing members and abutting the frame to provide ways for the reception of conduit.

7. In panel construction, a pair of spaced-apart plywood sheathing, and framing interposed between and secured to said sheathing, said framing having end, side and bottom members spaced inwardly from the edges of said sheathing to provide grooves, pairs of spacer members within said grooves and secured to the inner surface of both sheathing members to provide ways for the reception of conduit, and plates for reception in said grooves between said sheathing members and resting on said spacer membersfor closing the conduit ways.

- WINFRED E. WILSON. 

